Emad Barsoum writes: Advancement and Regression… The Paradox

Why many people from the four corners of the globe strive to find a new home in the new world! Possibly the term the new world is no longer in use, however, it will always be called the New World. Many factors drive people towards this race to cross the oceans, reside in the new world, and take it as home. Most of all are modernity, advancement, and human rights, and the list is long.

Over the last two weeks, and coincidently, I was witnessing some very contradicting and shocking behaviors within our nation, the place we call home.

On one hand while driving through a fast-food store parking lot in the morning there was a parked vehicle in which 3 young men were eating and throwing away their garbage and food remains from their vehicle’s windows!

On the other hand, I recalled this scene while I was standing in line waiting for my turn to receive the Covid vaccine, where everything was well organized, clean, and impressive. 

At the same time I remembered what happened while waiting my turn at the grocery store to request some items served by people who work there, a man walked in, skipping all other customers giving orders to a young lady to serve him, when she pointed at the numbers dispenser to take his turn he started to be angry, later he started to address her and the staff with profanity and aggressive attitude, all because the staff are respecting  the rights of other customers, no one could persuade him to refrain from such behavior even the person accompanying him.

When I was watching how the volunteers at the vaccination center were looking after all patients with dedication and patience, and how patients are receiving this service with appreciation, I realized how we should behave without prejudice or double standards in our home. In the meantime, I felt great appreciation for all the efforts done by the provincial government to provide such an impeccable operation.

My appreciation and admiration for the efficiency of running such a complicated vaccination process, which reflects a well organized and strong system, that exerts its utmost to secure and protect its people, vanished away when I watched the footage in one of our major cities showing many people blocking a main street in this city to perform their prayers! Disregarding the right of others to use such a public way, the right of emergency vehicles to move freely around the city to save lives, the right of senior citizens to receive their food and drugs brought to their residence when they cannot do it themselves.

How could this be advancement, equality, and protection of human rights! how could we feel the belonging and security to a country that allows a group of people to violate the human rights of others, and the right to be an equal citizen in front of the law, the charter of rights, the universal declaration of human rights. These principles made our country so great by adopting and believing in them. 

Nonetheless, it is frustrating to live the moment where a government is preaching controversy to how they behave.

Civilization, advancement, and democracy end with the fall of law and human rights.